(returning starters in bold)
ROSTER ANALYSIS
OFFENSE
Quarterbacks
Depth chart: Cody Green, Dane Evans, Joseph Calcagni
The scoop: As long as he stays healthy, Green will take every meaningful snap. Evans is a polished passer. Calcagni has a beautiful touch on his throws. Freshmen Ryan Rubley and Jaylen Lowe are learning the system.
The bottom line: After a rough start, Green became a very effective quarterback in 2012. He is a weapon in the run game (four touchdowns last season). As a starting QB, his career record is 14-3.
Receivers
Flankers: Jordan James, Keevan Lucas, Zach Epps
Split Ends: Thomas Roberson, Derek Patterson
Wide receivers: Keyarris Garrett, Conner Floyd, Josh Atkinson
Tight ends: Charlie Copa, Tyler Wilson, Garrett McGrady, Kolton Shindelar
The scoop: Since enrolling for the spring semester, freshman Keevan Lucas has impressed coaches and teammates. Ultimately - or possibly immediately - he could become an extremely productive slot receiver.
The bottom line: Cody Green has an experienced, talented group of pass-catchers. Last season, Garrett, James and Roberson combined for 137 receptions and 1,902 yards.
Tailbacks
Depth chart: Trey Watts, Ja'Terian Douglas, Zack Langer, James Flanders, Michael Sorrells
The scoop: Tulsa ranked ninth nationally in rushing last season, averaging 245.7 yards per game. Watts and Douglas combined for 2,044 yards.
The bottom line: Who can succeed the departed Alex Singleton as a viable third back? In 2012, Singleton ran for 800 yards and had a school-record 24 rushing TDs.
Defense
Offensive line
Left tackle: Davis Walton, Garrett Gladd, Blake Belcher
Left guard: Jake Alexander, Chris Wallace, Rob Boyd
Center: Billy Lafortune, Dylan Foxworth, Gabe Moyer
Right guard: Gabe Moyer, Stetson Burnett, James Floyd
Right tackle: Stetson Burnett, Garrett Stafford
The scoop: Although sophomore Garrett Stafford wasn't listed as a starter on the first preseason depth chart, he has a chance to secure one of the first-unit tackle assignments. After Brian DeShane was injured last season, Stafford was excellent in the C-USA championship game and the Liberty Bowl.
The bottom line: In spite of losing two all-conference tackles (DeShane and Jared Grigg) and a veteran center (Trent Dupy), Tulsa should be fine up front. The offensive line is the program's deepest position group.
Defensive line
Left end: Chris Hummingbird, Derrick Alexander, Cory Rahmings
Tackle: Jesse Brubaker, Jerry Uwaezuoke
Tackle: Derrick Luetjen, Lionel Phillips
Right end: Brentom Todd, Dalton Rodriguez
The scoop: A former Union star, Todd is positioned to become Tulsa's next double-digit sack guy. A 258-pound junior, Hummingbird was really good during the spring.
The bottom line: By far, this is the Hurricane's least experienced position group. Rodriguez, Brubaker and Phillips are first-year freshmen. Uwaezuoke is a redshirt freshman. Alexander is a sophomore.
Defensive backs
Corner: Darnell Walker Jr., Johnell Celistan
Strong safety: Michael Mudoh, Jeremy Brady
Free safety: Demarco Nelson, Marcus Pate
Corner: Dwight Dobbins, Johnell Celistan
The scoop: A senior from Glenpool, Nelson is nearing the end of an excellent career. Last season, he totaled 80 tackles and two interceptions.
The bottom line: TU lost senior corners in Lowell Rose and John Flanders, but the coaches express a high level of confidence in Walker (redshirt freshman) and Dobbins (junior).
Linebackers
Strongside: Mitchell Osborne, Luke Snider
Middle: Trent Martin, Donnell Hawkins
Weakside: Shawn Jackson, DeWitt Jennings
The scoop: A senior from McLain, Jackson needs two sacks to tie TU's career record of 20, shared by Dennis Byrd (1985-88) and Sedrick Clark (1992-95).
The bottom line: Jackson is among the elite defensive players in Conference USA.
Martin and Hawkins were injured in 2012. Osborne is a big hitter with star potential.
Special teams
Kicker: Carl Salazar, Redford Jones
Punter: Cole Way, Dalton Parks
Holder: Cole Way
Snapper: Rey Higuera
Punt returns: Trey Watts, Demarco Nelson
Kickoff returns: Trey Watts, Demarco Nelson
The scoop: With last year's scholarship kicker, Daniel Schwarz, having left the program following his freshman season, walk-on Carl Salazar (Broken Arrow) beat out Redford Jones (Norman North) to become the Hurricane's new man on field goals and point-after attempts.
The bottom line: Watts is a productive return guy. A walk-on last year, Higuera is a dependable snapper and was awarded a scholarship. One of the more prominent question marks on campus is whether Salazar can consistently succeed on scoring kicks.
Stars
Trey Watts
As a junior last season, he rushed for 1,108 yards. His current career total is 2,186. If Watts runs for 1,000 yards this season, the former walk-on will complete his career at No. 3 on TU's career rushing chart.
Shawn Jackson
He will always be remembered for having scored as a freshman in the 2010 victory at Notre Dame - on a 66-yard interception return - but Jackson has made countless other plays in three seasons as a Hurricane linebacker.
Keyarris Garrett
At 6-foot-4 and 216 pounds, Garrett is a matchup nightmare for most cornerbacks. Since arriving at TU in 2011, the receiver has gained 36 pounds.
Sleepers
Keevan Lucas
As a freshman slot receiver, Lucas may be an immediate impact player. He was excellent during the spring and has been even better in preseason camp.
Mitchell Osborne
A big hitter with a knack for big plays, Osborne made five starts as a sophomore last season. Now, he starts at strong-side linebacker.
Garrett Stafford
After starting right tackle Brian DeShane was injured last season, Stafford - then a redshirt freshman - was very good in TU's Conference USA win over Central Florida and the Liberty Bowl victory over Iowa State.
2012 STATISTICS
Team statistics
|
TU |
OPP |
| Scoring |
486 |
331 |
| Per game |
34.7 |
23.6 |
| First downs |
324 |
247 |
| by rushing |
171 |
101 |
| by passing |
126 |
124 |
| by penalty |
27 |
22 |
| Rushing yards |
3440 |
1674 |
| Avg. per game |
245.7 |
119.6 |
| Passing yards |
2960 |
3195 |
| Avg. per game |
211.4 |
228.2 |
| Offensive plays |
1160 |
1001 |
| Total yards |
6400 |
4869 |
| Avg. per play |
5.5 |
4.9 |
| Avg. per game |
457.1 |
347.8 |
| Kick returns-Yds |
36-959 |
48-893 |
| Punt returns-Yds |
31-254 |
23-226 |
| Interceptions-Yds |
12-67 |
13-225 |
| Fumbles-Lost |
29-11 |
24-15 |
| Penalties-Yds |
63-586 |
88-748 |
| Punts-Avg. |
80-37.6 |
101-42.4 |
| 3rd downs |
91-237 |
84-231 |
| 4th downs |
21-37 |
6-21 |
| Sacks by-Yds |
53-356 |
9-59 |
Individual leaders
Y/A=Yards/attempt; Y/G=Yards/game
| RUSHING |
No. |
Yds |
Y/A |
Y/P |
TD |
| T. Watts |
186 |
1108 |
6.0 |
85.2 |
3 |
| J. Douglas |
137 |
936 |
6.8 |
66.9 |
7 |
| A. Singleton |
202 |
800 |
4.0 |
57.1 |
24 |
| C. Green |
78 |
283 |
3.6 |
21.8 |
4 |
| Z. Langer |
35 |
181 |
5.2 |
12.9 |
2 |
| PASSING |
C-A-Int |
Yds |
Y/G |
TD |
| C. Green |
228-419-11 |
2592 |
199.4 |
17 |
| K. Henderson |
16-46-2 |
294 |
49.0 |
1 |
| RECEIVING |
No. |
Yds |
Y/A |
Y/P |
TD |
| K. Garrett |
67 |
845 |
12.6 |
60.4 |
9 |
| W. Carter |
49 |
382 |
7.8 |
27.3 |
3 |
| J. James |
41 |
568 |
13.9 |
40.6 |
2 |
| T. Watts |
34 |
343 |
10.1 |
26.4 |
0 |
| T. Roberson |
29 |
489 |
16.9 |
34.9 |
4 |
| PUNT RETURNS |
No. |
Yds |
Avg. |
TD |
| T. Watts |
22 |
154 |
7.0 |
1 |
| D. Nelson |
4 |
53 |
13.2 |
0 |
| C. Floyd |
4 |
40 |
10.0 |
0 |
| Kick returns |
No. |
Yds |
Avg. |
TD |
| T. Watts |
21 |
586 |
27.9 |
1 |
| J. Douglas |
6 |
125 |
20.8 |
0 |
| D. Nelson |
5 |
175 |
35.0 |
0 |
| PUNTING |
No. |
Yds |
Avg. |
I20 |
| C. Way |
77 |
3009 |
39.1 |
24 |
| Kicking |
FG-A |
Long |
PAT |
| D. Schwarz |
12-18 |
45 |
52-59 |
| DEFENSE |
T |
TFL |
Sacks |
INT |
FR |
| D. Brown |
125 |
17.0 |
9.0 |
1 |
0 |
| D. McCoil |
91 |
1.5 |
0 |
5 |
2 |
| S. Jackson |
88 |
10.5 |
5.0 |
0 |
1 |
| D. Nelson |
80 |
4.0 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
| L. Rose |
56 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
| C. Dorris |
51 |
10.0 |
6.0 |
1 |
1 |
| J. St. John |
49 |
14.0 |
11.5 |
0 |
1 |
| D. Bufford |
44 |
9.5 |
5.5 |
0 |
1 |
| D. Jackson |
41 |
8.0 |
3.0 |
0 |
0 |
| M. Osborne |
40 |
3.0 |
2.0 |
0 |
2 |
| T. Martin |
37 |
2.0 |
1.0 |
0 |
0 |
| J. Flanders |
30 |
2.0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| D. Jennings |
28 |
6.5 |
2.0 |
0 |
0 |
| M. Mudoh |
25 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
| B. Todd |
19 |
8.0 |
1.0 |
0 |
2 |
2013 SCHEDULE
| Aug. 29 |
at Bowling Green |
ESPNU-253 |
6 p.m. |
In three meetings with the Falcons, Tulsa won 45-10 in 1989, 63-7 in the 2008 GMAC Bowl and 33-20 in 2010.
| Sept. 7 |
Colorado State |
CBSSN-249 |
6 p.m. |
The Rams and TU clash for the first time since 1998, when Colorado State won 34-7 in a WAC game at Ft. Collins.
| Sept. 14 |
at Oklahoma |
ABC/ESPN |
11 a.m. |
Hurricane and Sooners collide for the 26th time. Tulsa won in Norman in 1916, 1919 and 1996.
| Sept. 26 |
Iowa State |
FSOK-27 |
6:30 p.m. |
Having met in the 2012 opener and again in the Liberty Bowl, the Hurricane and Cyclones get together for the third time in 13 months.
| Oct. 5 |
Rice |
CBSSN-249 |
2:30 p.m. |
Tulsa coach Bill Blankenship says Rice may emerge as one of his team's more dangerous opponents.
| Oct. 12 |
at UTEP |
FSOK-27 |
TBA |
Hurricane has a 13-8 lead in the series, but the Miners won in three of the past four played at the Sun Bowl.
| Oct. 26 |
at Tulane |
|
2:30 p.m. |
In Conference USA games, Tulsa is 8-0 against the Green Wave. Average score: 43-12.
| Nov. 2 |
UTSA |
CST-269 |
2:30 p.m. |
For the first time since 1990, when he coordinated the OU offense, UTSA coach Larry Coker competes against TU.
| Nov. 9 |
at East Carolina |
FSOK-27 |
TBA |
Could be the C-USA game of the year. Outcome may determine homefield advantage in league title game.
| Nov. 14 |
Marshall |
FSOK-27 |
6:30 p.m. |
Hurricane rallied from fourth-quarter deficit to prevail 45-38 last season at Huntington, W. Va.
| Nov. 23 |
at Louisiana Tech |
CBSSN-249 |
6 p.m. |
In a series that dates to 1986, Bulldogs have won in 7 of 9 meetings with Golden Hurricane.
| Nov. 30 |
North Texas |
FSOK-27 |
TBA |
Since 1970, the Hurricane is unbeaten in 10 meetings with the Mean Green.
TU football information
Tickets: 918-631-GOTU (918-631-4688) or
www.tulsahurricane.com.
Golden Hurricane Sports Network affiliates: KRMG fm102.3/am740 (Tulsa, flagship), KRIG fm104.9 (Bartlesville), KUSH am1600 (Cushing), KCRC am1390 (Enid), KOKL am1240 (Okmulgee), KTMC am1400 (McAlester).
Bill Blankenship radio show: 7 p.m. Mondays, KRMG-fm102.3/am740.
Bill Blankenship television show: 8 p.m. Sundays, Cox-3.
2012 RESULTS
At Iowa State L, 38-23
Vs. Tulane W, 45-10
Vs. Nicholls State W, 66-16
Vs. Fresno State W, 27-26
At UAB W, 49-42
At Marshall W, 45-38
Vs. UTEP W, 33-11
Vs. Rice W, 28-24
At Arkansas L, 19-15
At Houston W, 41-7
Vs. UCF W, 23-21
At SMU L, 35-27
C-USA Championship
Vs. UCF W, 33-27 (OT)
Liberty Bowl
Vs. Iowa State W, 31-17
COACHING STAFF
Bill Blankenship
Job description: head coach, quarterbacks
Brent Guy
Job description: defensive coordinator, linebackers
Greg Peterson
Job description: offensive coordinator, receivers
Scott Downing
Job description: assistant head coach, special-teams coordinator, tight ends
Denver Johnson
Job description: assistant head coach, offensive line
Dan Bitson
Job description: running backs
Calvin Thibodeaux
Job description: defensive tackles
Jess Loepp
Job description: safeties, recruiting coordinator
Adam Blankenship
Job description: defensive ends
Darnell Walker Sr.
Job description: cornerbacks
Note: As a private institution, the University of Tulsa is not obligated to report the compensation figures of its coaches.
TU
Logan McCracken led the University of Tulsa men's team to a fifth-place finish Tuesday in the Columbia Regional Preview at The Club of Old Hawthorne in Columbia, Mo.
